Singer Sonu Nigam went on a Twitter rant against the blaring loudspeakers used for religious sermons, especially during the wee hours of the morning. He complained that his sleep was disturbed by the Azaan, a call out from the mosque five times a day to summon followers of Islam.

Nigam complained that since he does not follow Islam, he is forced out of early morning sleep because of the Azaan. He termed it as 'forced religiousness' and raised a question as to when it will end in India.

In several other Western countries with a diverse religious demography, there are restrictions on religious preaching on a microphone as it disturbs the environment of the city.

God bless everyone. I'm not a Muslim and I have to be woken up by the Azaan in the morning. When will this forced religiousness end in India

However, the same restrictions have not been imposed in India and Nigam questioned the reason behind the same. He also argued that Prophet Mohammed did not have access to electricity when he founded Islam. Thus, it is obvious that he did not preach or summon followers for worship through the microphone. It was only after the advent of electricity that the Islam followers started using loudspeakers for the same.

And by the way Mohammed did not have electricity when he made Islam.. Why do I have to have this cacophony after Edison? — Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 17, 2017

Nigam also clarified that he is not against Islam in particular. He added that the same rule should be applied on Hindu temples and gurudwaras as well. He suggested that religion is a private practise and should be followed in individual capacity or within the same community. The 'cacophony' of the loudspeakers should not disturb people who do not follow that religion.

I don't believe in any temple or gurudwara using electricity To wake up people who don't follow the religion . Why then..? Honest? True?

He termed this practise as 'gundagardi' (criminal intimidation). However, Nigam's tweets were not received very kindly. His followers lashed out on him for being 'intolerant' and 'not respecting other religions and their practices.'